Miller Magazine Issue: 148 April 2022

42 MILLER / APRIL 2022 NEWS The United States was elected at the 11th session of the AMIS Rapid Response Forum and will be represented through the United States Department of Agri- culture’s Chief Economist, Seth Meyer. As a G20 member, the United States has been actively engaged in AMIS since the ini- tiative’s inception in 2011, and Seth has partic- ipated actively over the years within the AMIS Information Group. In a statement following the nomination to lead AMIS, the US highlighted the crucial importance of strengthening AMIS at this moment of time, especially as regards “enhancing market transparency and policy coordination in global food markets in order to moderate price increases and enhance global food security.” The US furthermore explained that it would support continued country dialogue and engage- ment to help the country representatives, participating International Organizations and the Secretariat achieve these goals. The US concluded by thanking Mexico for its important service to the group over the last year and looked forward to active en- gagement of all AMIS participants. United States elected as new AMIS Chair The United States will be the new Chair of AMIS, taking over responsibilities from Mexico at the next meeting of the Global Food Market Information Group. Louis Dreyfus enters plant proteins market Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods, announced the cre- ation of a new Plant Proteins business as part of its commitment to helping shape a strong and sustainable food system. Having hired a dedicated team composed of business developers, researchers and engineers in 2021, the company inaugurated a new R&D facility dedicated to its plant proteins business in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, US. “As part of our strategic growth plans to move further downstream and diversify revenue through more val- ue-added products, we see an opportunity to participate in the rapidly-growing plant-based foods market through plant protein extraction and food & beverage application formulation, leveraging our existing origination and in- dustrial capabilities,” said Michael Gelchie, LDC’s Chief Executive Officer. Growing health, environment and an- imal welfare concerns are driving strong demand for plant-based alternatives to animal proteins. Food com- panies are rapidly innovating to solve the protein chal- lenge and meet demand for sustainable and affordable products with great taste and nutritional profile. “LDC’s Plant Proteins business aspires to be the part- ner of choice for food companies and innovative brands who wish to incorporate more sustainable proteins in their products,” said Thomas Couteaudier, Chief Strate- gy Officer for LDC. “We will enter the market with a first range of non-GMO plant protein isolates by the end of 2022, with an initial focus on North America, aiming ulti- mately to offer global customers a multipurpose portfolio of products and application solutions.” The new Plant Proteins business will be managed by Dr. Manoj Kumar, LDC’s Vice President for Plant Proteins, supervising a team of experts based in California. “The facility inaugurated today is a critical foundation for the new business, supporting its R&D and commercial program. It will serve as a laboratory and pilot plant to develop products, validate their technical and commer- cial value, and build know-how for future applications,” said Dr. Kumar.